Vegan Makeup Drugstore Brands (2018)

One of the biggest struggles I hear from compassionate shoppers is finding affordable makeup that is both cruelty-free and vegan. Yes, there is a difference between cosmetics labelled as cruelty-free and vegan. ‘Cruelty-free’ implies the ingredients and finished products were not tested on animals meanwhile ‘Vegan’ products do not contain any animal ingredients.

There are some great cruelty-free drugstore brand lists and similar resources available online but not one specifically catered for only vegans. It’s probably because it’s a much shorter list but you may be surprised that although a brand isn’t considered 100% vegan, they do offer some options that are animal-free in addition to being cruelty-free of course!

Here you will find a list of drugstore makeup brands that are either 100% vegan or brands that carry some vegan options as well as to how you can find those Vegan options. At the very bottom of this post, I also list drugstore makeup brands that are NOT cruelty-free and continue to test on animals and therefore should be avoided. Finally, I mention brands that are cruelty-free BUT not vegan-friendly and is probably best to avoid.

But let’s start with the Cruelty-free brands that are either 100% vegan or offer some vegan options!

List of Vegan Makeup Drugstore Brands

Below is a list of cruelty-free drugstore makeup brands that do not test on animals with vegan options!

e.l.f. Cosmetics

All cosmetics are vegan

All of e.l.f.‘s cosmetics are vegan-friendly and do not contain any animal ingredients. They offer a complete line of makeup at an incredibly affordable price (lipsticks are only $3!). Available in-store at Target, London Drugs, Walmart, CVS, Walgreens,Superdrug

Wet N Wild

NYX Cosmetics

Some vegan makeup

NYX Cosmetics is cruelty-free however NYX is owned by L’Oreal, a parent company that does test on animals. Some of NYX makeup products are vegan, find a list of NYX vegan products here.Available in most drugstores.

Essence

Essence cosmetics is a popular drugstore makeup brand, they recently have confirmed a list of their makeup that are considered vegan, find a list of Essence vegan products here.

Barry M

Some vegan makeup

Barry M is a great cruelty-free makeup brand for UK shoppers. Not all of their products are vegan but they clearly label which ones are on their website under each product description, or find a full list of Barry M vegan makeup here. Available in-store at Superdrug.

Physicians Formula

Some vegan makeup

Physicians Formula is widely available at most drugstores and they’re known for their dermatologist-tested, hypoallergenic, fragrance-free makeup. Find an updated list of Physicians Formula vegan products here. Available in stores at Ulta, London Drugs, Walmart.

Real Techniques

All makeup brushes are vegan

Real Techniques has a cult following for their synthetic and vegan makeup brushes that are sold in just about any drugstore at a reasonable price. Available in store at Target, Ulta, London Drugs, Walmart, Superdrug, Walgreens

Mineral Fusion

Some vegan makeup

Mineral Fusion products are at a higher price point compared to other drugstore brands but they also claim their products are free of gluten, parabens, SLS, phthalates, artificial colors and synthetic fragrances. All of Mineral Fusion products are 100% vegetarian, and most are even 100% vegan – full list of Mineral Fusion vegan products here. Available in store at London Drugs, Target, Ulta

Makeup Academy – MUA

theBalm

Some vegan makeup

theBalm offers some vegan makeup products for face, eyes, and lips. Find a list of theBalm vegan products here. theBalm is known for their talc-free and paraben-free formulations and retro packaging! Available in-stores at Rexall.

Emani

100% vegan makeup and makeup brushes

All of Emani makeup products are vegan. Emani is known for the talc-free, paraben-free cosmetics that do not contain any harsh chemicals or petrochemicals. Available in-stores at Target and London Drugs.

Makeup Revolution

Some vegan makeup

Makeup Revolution is an incredibly affordable makeup brand known for their eye and face palettes. Makeup Revolution recently added a VEGAN section on their website or you can find a list of Makeup Revolution vegan products here. Available in stores at Ulta and Superdrug.

ORLY

Vegan nail polish

All of ORLY‘s regular nail polish are vegan-friendly and they’re around the same price as O.P.I. nail polish. Available in store at Target, Ulta, Walmart, CVS

Jordana

Some vegan makeup

Jordana cosmetics is based in the U.S. and their line of makeup are extremely affordable (lipsticks start at $1.99!). But only some of Jordana’s beauty products are considered vegan. They have confirmed to me “Jordana has identified only 4 animal derivatives exist in our products, these are: carmine, guanine, lanolin and beeswax. For a particular product, view ingredients section for carmine, guanine, lanolin and beeswax. If not listed, then it is vegan.” Available in-store at Walmart, Walgreens, Kmart

B.

100% vegan makeup

B. recently went through a major rebanding but they remain to be both a cruelty-free and vegan brand focusing on quality vegan makeup. You can find B. products at Superdrug. Available in-store at Superdrug.

Some makeup brands claim to be cruelty-free and do not test on animals however they may use ingredients derived from an animal. Common non-vegan ingredients used in cosmetics include honey, beeswax, milk protein, lanolin, and carmine.

It is difficult to tell if an ingredient came from an animal or a vegan source just by reading a product’s ingredient list because manufacturers and companies are not required to disclose this on the label. However most vegan-friendly brands will usually tell shoppers which products or ingredients to avoid as they contain animal by-products.

Unfortunately some cruelty-free brands choose not to disclose this information, as a result, I am unable to warrant any of their products as being vegan.

Burt’s Bees – owned by Clorox (a company that does test on animals), uses milk, lanolin, honey, royal jelly and carmine in some products and claim that since many of their products are produced on shared lines, they don’t call them “vegan”.

Flower Beauty – claims “While our brand is cruelty free, our production centers are not certified vegan meaning there could be trace amounts of animal bi-products in the product.”

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33 Comments

Mandie Hann

February 25, 2019

The last year or so I have been switching my products over to cruelty-free products, I was so surprised to see how many companies still test on animals. Your website has been such a good guideline. I am really happy with the information I find.

jacqueline mcculloch

February 1, 2019

Revolution Skincare Skin Firming Solution is not suitable for vegetarians or vegans , and they do-not clarify where the collagen is sourced from ,i have asked for them to answer but they have not they deleted my message on their facebook page as well about the serum as i said they cannot be vegan if they are selling products not suitable for vegetarians and vegans ,anyone have any ideas about this or facts

“Make ethical choices in what we buy, do, and watch. In a consumer-driven society our individual choices, used collectively for the good of animals and nature, can change the world faster than laws.”― Marc Bekoff